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Rona Parish #3
A Bookish Clue
Previously published as Persons or Persons Unknown
Cozy up with a cup of tea and treat yourself to an utterly irresistible mystery, set amid England’s breathtakingly beautiful Chiltern Hills.
Meet Rona Parish, a feisty biographer with a talent for digging up murder and mystery wherever she goes — and Gus, the golden retriever, trotting loyally at her heels!
Rona’s sleuthing skills are earning her quite the reputation. She can’t even go to a cocktail party at her friend’s place, without a decades-old mystery landing in her lap.
Rona is approached by a desperate young woman. Teary-eyed Zara Crane. Zara’s mum, a promising young radio reporter, was murdered in cold blood back when Zara was just a baby. As for the killer? They got away with it scot-free.
Until now . . . ? Zara pleads with Rona to hunt for her mother’s secret boyfriend. A mysterious man, who Zara’s mum would never name.
Rona’s certain he is the key to this baffling mystery.
The deeper she digs, the more she fears the killer is no stranger. But someone dangerously close to Rona and her family.
And they don’t appreciate her snooping one bit . . .
Cozy up with a cup of tea and treat yourself to an utterly irresistible mystery, set amid England’s breathtakingly beautiful Chiltern Hills.
Meet Rona Parish, a feisty biographer with a talent for digging up murder and mystery wherever she goes — and Gus, the golden retriever, trotting loyally at her heels!
Rona’s sleuthing skills are earning her quite the reputation. She can’t even go to a cocktail party at her friend’s place, without a decades-old mystery landing in her lap.
Rona is approached by a desperate young woman. Teary-eyed Zara Crane. Zara’s mum, a promising young radio reporter, was murdered in cold blood back when Zara was just a baby. As for the killer? They got away with it scot-free.
Until now . . . ? Zara pleads with Rona to hunt for her mother’s secret boyfriend. A mysterious man, who Zara’s mum would never name.
Rona’s certain he is the key to this baffling mystery.
The deeper she digs, the more she fears the killer is no stranger. But someone dangerously close to Rona and her family.
And they don’t appreciate her snooping one bit . . .
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2005
99 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 1, 2020
Rona Parish, a journalist, is approached by a woman to find her birth parents. Rona reluctantly takes the case, hoping to make an article of it. Unfortunately the more she digs up, the more sinister the story becomes.
Another brilliantly written novel by Fraser, the story starts up where the last book left off, overlapping the the lives of Rona and her family. I adore this series, and know I will feel a loss when it's concluded.
Another brilliantly written novel by Fraser, the story starts up where the last book left off, overlapping the the lives of Rona and her family. I adore this series, and know I will feel a loss when it's concluded.
October 17, 2015
Rona Parish is coming to the end of her series of articles on the history of Buckford and is on the look out for a new project when a young woman approaches her and asks if she will help her trace her birth parents. Rona is intrigued especially when she learns that Zara's biological mother was murdered twenty five years ago and the killer has never been brought to justice.
Before long Rona is receiving a few dubious phone calls and e-mails suggesting that she should drop her investigation. Clearly her researches are getting close to revealing something that someone doesn't want revealed. Her friends are all concerned for and urge her to drop the case and find something less dangerous to research. Then there are problems within Rona's own family which are putting her at odds with her beloved twin sister.
I enjoyed reading this mystery but I didn't think it was as good as the second one in the series. I find Rona's sister is starting to annoy me with her immature attitude to everything. But she is a minor part of the story and the mystery itself is well plotted and the solution out of the ordinary and not what I expected at all. The books in this series can be read as standalone novels even though there is an ongoing thread involving Rona's family.
Before long Rona is receiving a few dubious phone calls and e-mails suggesting that she should drop her investigation. Clearly her researches are getting close to revealing something that someone doesn't want revealed. Her friends are all concerned for and urge her to drop the case and find something less dangerous to research. Then there are problems within Rona's own family which are putting her at odds with her beloved twin sister.
I enjoyed reading this mystery but I didn't think it was as good as the second one in the series. I find Rona's sister is starting to annoy me with her immature attitude to everything. But she is a minor part of the story and the mystery itself is well plotted and the solution out of the ordinary and not what I expected at all. The books in this series can be read as standalone novels even though there is an ongoing thread involving Rona's family.
January 13, 2013
Never good to start a series in the middle but I enjoyed this story about a writer asked to find someone's birth father (even if I guessed who he was long before the sleuth did).
However, there is a somewhat dated feel to these books. The heroine, Rona, at one point asks if her sister knows her email. "Why would I?" asks the sister. It is hard to imagine someone *not* knowing her sister's email if as close as these twins!
In addition, there is ongoing controversy about Rona and her artist husband living apart several nights per week. I thought they worked in different parts of England but it is odder than that. Because they both work from home, she in silence, and he apparently painting very noisily, plus giving classes, their home was not big enough for both careers. As a result, Max rented a studio. But it is only 20 minutes away, which makes it baffling that even after a class that ends at 10 pm, he would spend 3-4 nights per week sleeping there, rather than driving home to his wife and dog. I don't think these people would have liked my two-hour commute to law school if a 20 minute drive is considered so exhausting!
However, there is a somewhat dated feel to these books. The heroine, Rona, at one point asks if her sister knows her email. "Why would I?" asks the sister. It is hard to imagine someone *not* knowing her sister's email if as close as these twins!
In addition, there is ongoing controversy about Rona and her artist husband living apart several nights per week. I thought they worked in different parts of England but it is odder than that. Because they both work from home, she in silence, and he apparently painting very noisily, plus giving classes, their home was not big enough for both careers. As a result, Max rented a studio. But it is only 20 minutes away, which makes it baffling that even after a class that ends at 10 pm, he would spend 3-4 nights per week sleeping there, rather than driving home to his wife and dog. I don't think these people would have liked my two-hour commute to law school if a 20 minute drive is considered so exhausting!
July 20, 2016
This is a series that definitely has to be read in order as there is a thread running through the books relating to the main character Rona Parish and her relationship with various family members.
It may annoy some readers who like their detective fiction to stick to the mystery in hand, but I really enjoy the developing side stories concerning Rona's family. I finished this book earlier today and now I just want to get on with the next one in the series!
It may annoy some readers who like their detective fiction to stick to the mystery in hand, but I really enjoy the developing side stories concerning Rona's family. I finished this book earlier today and now I just want to get on with the next one in the series!
September 18, 2009
Althea Fraser continues to please, though this series with Rona Parish has taken a while to "grow on me." Unlike some series books, this one is much better if able to read in order, though I have not been able to do so.
April 23, 2017
Rona Parish is in search of an adoptee’s bio-father. Person or Persons Unknown is a good story and Jacqueline Tong tells a British story as it should be read.
May 13, 2024
Imagine being upset at your father for cheating on your mother (who you avoid talking to as much possible because she is a snipe of a woman) but refusing to ask him any questions about it until he has fully decided to leave your mother and then being more upset with him. Imagine that same scenario while also sleeping with your married coworker and not seeing the similarities. Imagine your mom has let herself go some and you convince her to pick herself up and doll herself up a little and then immediately say “wow, maybe dad will think you are pretty now!”
Imagine also being “inconvenienced” by someone asking you to check on your neighbor who is bruised and battered, and declaring (after the meeting) that you have nothing in common with the woman and don’t trust her. Then finding the neighbor’s children crying on the street corner saying their dad told them to get out of the house, dragging them back home, telling him to take his wife to the hospital because she just “fell” down the stairs, and then getting home and calling her sister to complain bc she left her front door open when she went to help the children. All of that - that’s the main character’s sister in a nutshell.
I understand the Brits aren’t as warm and feel-y as some Americans, but this woman is borderline heartless and I very much dislike her character in this series.
The rest of the series has moments of being dated and occasionally written too quickly to move through the story, but the sister is painfully self centered.
Imagine also being “inconvenienced” by someone asking you to check on your neighbor who is bruised and battered, and declaring (after the meeting) that you have nothing in common with the woman and don’t trust her. Then finding the neighbor’s children crying on the street corner saying their dad told them to get out of the house, dragging them back home, telling him to take his wife to the hospital because she just “fell” down the stairs, and then getting home and calling her sister to complain bc she left her front door open when she went to help the children. All of that - that’s the main character’s sister in a nutshell.
I understand the Brits aren’t as warm and feel-y as some Americans, but this woman is borderline heartless and I very much dislike her character in this series.
The rest of the series has moments of being dated and occasionally written too quickly to move through the story, but the sister is painfully self centered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2023
Journalist Rona Parrish is contacted by Zara Crane, a young woman who was adopted as a baby and is trying to locate her birth father. Zara wants Rona's help in her search. Zara also hopes that Rona, who has become known for her role in helping solve two murder cases, might find out more about the murder of her mother, which is still unsolved after 25 years.
Rona agrees to dedicate 6 weeks to the investigation, but runs into one dead end after another until things fall into place at the end. This may be the best mystery in the series so far.
Rona agrees to dedicate 6 weeks to the investigation, but runs into one dead end after another until things fall into place at the end. This may be the best mystery in the series so far.
January 28, 2026
Another twist in the tail!
I really enjoy the Rona Parish books. I like her, and feel as if she is a real person and someone I would spend time with. This book didn't disappoint in any way - characters, plot and eventual denouement were all feasible and kept me reading avidly to the very end
I really enjoy the Rona Parish books. I like her, and feel as if she is a real person and someone I would spend time with. This book didn't disappoint in any way - characters, plot and eventual denouement were all feasible and kept me reading avidly to the very end
January 27, 2026
Very Good!
Wow! It's amazing how scattered threads intersect. I thoroughly enjoyed this -- the mystery was very, very well done; the characters are realistic and likeable and the pacing is great as well.
I very much look forward to reading more by this author.
Wow! It's amazing how scattered threads intersect. I thoroughly enjoyed this -- the mystery was very, very well done; the characters are realistic and likeable and the pacing is great as well.
I very much look forward to reading more by this author.
January 31, 2026
Another good story
I thought this was a very abrupt ending, the outcome was totally unexpected, I had no clue who it would be. Very clever plot but I was left feeling I hadn’t quite finished.
I thought this was a very abrupt ending, the outcome was totally unexpected, I had no clue who it would be. Very clever plot but I was left feeling I hadn’t quite finished.
February 2, 2026
Unexpected
Each book in the series so far has been so emotional. So well written with so much feeling. Im left with so many emotions running through my mind. Just selfishness versus love.
Each book in the series so far has been so emotional. So well written with so much feeling. Im left with so many emotions running through my mind. Just selfishness versus love.
February 5, 2026
A cracker of a series
I enjoyed the first book, but found it a bit boring. However, the second and third book got me hooked. I loved the angle from other characters and feel invested in their updates. The twist was unexoected. Looking forward to the next book.
I enjoyed the first book, but found it a bit boring. However, the second and third book got me hooked. I loved the angle from other characters and feel invested in their updates. The twist was unexoected. Looking forward to the next book.
December 15, 2017
Good British cozy mystery. Characters well defined and storyline kept me reading.
August 24, 2018
I liked this a bit better than the others so far.
January 20, 2024
Another good book in this series although I thought the ending was a little abrupt
May 23, 2024
It is a delightful series that I am enjoying.
January 16, 2026
Wow!
I was completely in the dark the whole way through this book. This is the third book I have read by this author and the best yet.
I was completely in the dark the whole way through this book. This is the third book I have read by this author and the best yet.
January 18, 2026
Spellbound
Kept me guessing through the whole story...who could have done murdered Gemma?
Held my breath thru the last chapter, thinking he would do the same to Roma.
Kept me guessing through the whole story...who could have done murdered Gemma?
Held my breath thru the last chapter, thinking he would do the same to Roma.
January 26, 2026
Good series..don't like the titles.
August 22, 2012
Picked this up needing an audiobook. It is extremely lightweight, and more of a story of the people than a murder mystery. No tension in it. Probably won't seek out others by this author.
December 14, 2012
Well-written and well-plotted--though I guessed the perpetrator three-quarters through (unusual for me), thanks to my literary background. :)
December 31, 2012
I listened to the audio version and had a difficult time with the narration. I might have liked the book better if there had been a different narrator
Read
September 16, 2013I enjoyed this mystery and was interested in Rona's family. I did not guess the killer as I understand many readers managed half way through. There obviously were clues that I should have picked up.
January 24, 2017
Oh dear I am struggling with the Rona Parish series. I am on the 3rd in the series and I am finding it very pedestrian. I just can't engage with the bland characters, which is a shame.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews